Sustainability Committee

Inquiry into access to inland water in Wales

With regard to the above subject I consider that canoeists and others who want to useWelsh rivers above the tidal limitsshould have to enter into access agreements with riparian owners and be prepared to pay for the use of such assets in the same way that anglers do. I support the laws covering private ownership of Welsh rivers and consider that these laws should be maintained and respected.

Anglers have to purchase an licence from the Environmental Agency with part of the funds raised being used to monitor water quality, to control pollution and to try to limit any misuse of waters in Wales.Canoeists and others who want to use Welsh rivers will benefit from work undertaken by the Environmental Agency and as such they should belicensedand contribute to the agency funds.

Regards

Geoff Tetley